Guest 54fins Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 I had a 56 4 door hardtop. Being a convertible guy its pretty hard to make a case for restoring it and it doesn't have a title. But along comes a 56 convertible, good body and drivetrain but missing most of the rest. Now we can make this work. Betty, my Skylark has a cloth interior I had made when I was rat rodding the skylark in black primer. The interior didn't quite keep up with how the car came out. Well, it's perfect for the 56 and I'm working on a leather custom interior for the nationals in 2017. Would love to hit PA this year but its just a bit too much. The 56 has some nice things compared to a 54. It still has the torque tube from hell but real shocks in the back. The power steering is also improved. the brake master is not under the car so dual exhaust is no problem. I've also got a beefed up sway bar for the front, otherwise do believe I'll keep the stock drivetrain and the 322 appears to be good. Looks like I can build this on a reasonable budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 54fins Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 just for grins, I may try to but a 54 front clip on the 56 donor car and make a 54 4 door hardtop. Or I may let it sit in a field as a good home for rodents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 It's interesting when looking at the 54-56 model years. So many things were one year only for 56. But with your skills that should be no impediment. It will be fun to watch what you do with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Funny, being a convertible guy myself, I keep thinking I want to find a 4-door hardtop and make it a 4-door no-top... Not every year lends itself to that very well, but the '56 does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Simmons Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Oh yes I can see it now. A '56 4 door no top with dual cowls and wind screens and a liquid decanter/cup holder in the back seat . Now that would be something to see for sure. A huge amount of work but the end result would be well received in the Buick family I'm thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Maybe this is a dumb question, but why not sacrifice a 4-door sedan instead? I'm sure I am just missing some key detail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Maybe this is a dumb question, but why not sacrifice a 4-door sedan instead? I'm sure I am just missing some key detail. To make a topless 4 door? Simplicity: A 4 door Riv already has frameless doors, and B-pillar requires no modification. Structurally, it's already there. It's a very simple mod, just pop out the back window and make two little cuts at the C-pillar. A long cut just far enough behind the windshield that you've got a place to attach sun visors and a map light. A little trim-out and you are done.Now, some might go all the way and take the windows out of the doors and trim that out as well, but some people like to put the windows up to reduce buffeting while highway driving, so you might want to leave them... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I see. Thanks for the clarification! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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